MEET AND GREET - A feature of the build up to and the days after Christmas in the locality will be the number of meet and greet events organised by the community. The opportunities will allow visitors and returned emigrants meet

their old friends, family members and neighbours. In addition a hearty welcome is extended to all who will be visiting the area and also to those travelling to other places over the holiday period.

CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF STEPHEN - Windgap Community Development host the annual St Stephens day walk that will commence from the GAA clubrooms at 11.00 a.m. Registration will commence at 10.30 a.m. Adults €10, Family €20. The usual route will be taken and refreshments will be available at the half way point. Transport will also be available for those returning home for an early lunch and all are most welcome.

CELEBRATING THE SOLTICE - A group will leave from the car park at the lake in Windgap on Friday 21st December at 3 pm to walk to the Coshel in Knockroe to celebrate the evening solstice. All are invited to join in the walk and bring a candle to enjoy this spectacle that is an amalgamation of nature, history and heritage that dates back almost five thousand years. At the Coshel a short update on the area will be given by Martin O’Shea. The event will be one of a number that will mark the significance of the morning and evening solstice that sees the rays of both the rising and setting sun align with the entrances of the two burial chambers on the site. Recently restored by the Board of Works the event attracts a growing number of visitors from near and far each year. On the day the memory of the nearest resident and daily visitor to the site for generations Sean Power will surely be recalled

PLAYSTATION - Best wishes are extended to Tony and Valerie Doyle who opened their new business Playstation in Kilkenny recently. The entertainment zone for kids opens at 10am on weekdays and midday on Sundays. Its development has provided a much-needed amenity for the City and County and has also provided a number of employment opportunities.

DEFIBRILLATORS - The three Defibrillators have been installed in their selected positions in Windgap School at the door to the left at the top of the long steps, also at Parochial House Windgap and Tullahought Community Center. The weather protected installations with damp and over heating protection devices were commissioned during the week by local electrician Phillip Byrne with the assistance of the Walsh brothers Dick and Pat. The list of trained users is available in all the local Pubs, halls, Handball Alley and hurling Club, school, creamery and Churches. It also appears on the parish website and spare copies are available in the back of the churches. With thirty-six trained volunteers listed the committee are interested in getting the names of other trained users. The final training session takes place after Christmas. More details to follow

CARD RESULTS - Joint winners at the progressive twenty five Card drive held in Guinans on Friday night were Nickey Landy, Pat Foley and Christy and Pat power. Other Prizewinners were Jim White, Tom Egan, Mary O’Connor, Peter Hennessey, Eamon Saunders, Robert Maher, Pat Foley and Eamon Doyle. The next game takes place on Friday the 4th January at 8.45pm

CHRISTMASS TIMES - The times of the Christmas masses in the area are on Christmas Eve in Tullahought at 6pm, Kilmoganny 7pm and Dunnamaggin at 9pm. On Christmas day they take place in Tullahought at 9am, Windgap 10am and Dunnamaggin at 11am. A feature after the 10am mass in Windgap on Christmas day will be a cup of tea afterwards in the Parochial House.

SEASON OF CHRISTMAS - The annual search for holly on an unseasonably mild Sunday proved successful as the milder weather has seen plenty of alternative food for the thrushes in particular. On the way the chirping of pheasants around the game sanctuary and the sight of a yellow wagtail were amongst the highlights.

ANNIVERSARY - The anniversary mass for Sharon, Zara and Nadia Phelan takes place on Christmas morning in Windgap at 10am

MCCARTHY CUP - Eoin Larkin and Paul Murphy members of the All Ireland senior hurling winning side will be visiting the National School with the McCarthy Cup shortly

CLUB NEWS - This Weeks Winning Numbers were 2, 10, 12, 19 and Bonus 8. The numbers brought a match three cheque to Richard Barry. Next Weeks Prize fund is €4,950. The final draw for the year takes place on Tuesday 18th and the first draw of the New Year will take place on Tuesday January 15th.

WALKING GROUPS - The Saturday morning walking group adjourned for breakfast in Dove Hill after their walk from Carrick along the bank of the River Suir. The walks also continue on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE - Down time over the holiday period will allow everyone time to develop their thoughts on all aspects of Parish Life. The next meeting of the group which takes place on January 15th in the GAA Club Rooms. MOUSE RACING - The Hurling Clubs Mice Race night takes place on January 12th in Powers of Tullahought. To purchase a runner for the event contacts any club or committee member.

SCHOOL CONCERT - The students of St. Nicholas National school presented a most enjoyable “Come follow the Star” Concert on Friday in the comfort of the newly re-furbished Parish Hall on Friday last.

CHERNOBYL SUPPORT - Members of the local choirs in Owning, Tullahought, Windgap and Cuaile and their friends were among the members who performed two carol singing sessions at the Town Hall in Kilkenny on Saturday in aid of Chernobyl.

HAVE YOU TIME TO SPARE - S.O.S. is a Voluntary Organisation in Kilkenny for adults with a mild-moderate intellectual disability, providing day services, respite and residential care. They are looking for families or individuals (hosts) to provide short breaks (day/overnight/weekend) in their home for adults from our services. Each host is matched with one person from S.O.S. and an expense allowance is paid for each break provided.They are also looking for volunteers to support us in providing extra social and recreational activities for people attending S.O.S. in the evening time or weekends. If you would like to know more about volunteering or providing breaks please contact the social work department on 056 7764000 or email ksherry@soskilkenny.com YEAR BOOK - This years 220 page full colour Kilkenny GAA Year has Windgap Hurling and Handball Club News, updates on Kilkenny’s County and Intercounty Hurling, Football, Camogie, and Handball Championships, it also includes Senior Player photos and reports on schools and colleges games. It addition it has articles from a wide local and National journalists. Containing a Wall Poster of all Ireland Winning Team captain Eoin Larkin it also features thousands of photos of players and supporters.

WEBSITE - A new parish is still in development mode and content is continuing to be added. Volunteers interested in assisting with the regular updating of the site are asked to contact Noel Smith on 086 3845136 WEB DESIGN IN WINDGAP - Budding Web designers from Windgap National School have been invited to submit entries for a logo to be used on windgap.ie. The rules are simple - 1. Think of any combination of text, images or colours. 2. Put your ideas on an A4 page. 2. Get the entry in by Friday of this week (to the School) All entries will be uploaded to the website to be admired by all, and winners will be announced on Christmas week.